mechanical
gb/mɪkˈænɪkəl/ us/mɪkˈænɪkəl/
B1
English
~ 3800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Related to machines or tools
About machines or how they work.
Usage pattern:
[mechanical] [device/system/part]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mechanical' with 'electrical'; 'mechanical' refers to moving parts, not electrical systems.
Synonyms
machinery-related (Directly refers to something connected with machinery.)
Antonyms
manual (Describes something done by hand, without machinery.)
Collocations
mechanical device
|mechanical system
|mechanical failure
|mechanical engineer
|mechanical part
Themes
technology
|engineering
|manufacturing
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The factory shut down due to a mechanical failure.
- She studied mechanical engineering at university.
- The car's mechanical parts were inspected for wear and tear.
- Mechanical systems need regular maintenance.
- This watch has a purely mechanical movement.
Learner examples
- The car has a mechanical problem.
- A mechanical clock does not need a battery.
- He is a mechanical engineer.
- The machine stopped because of a mechanical fault.
adjective
B2
property
2
Automatic, without emotion or thought
Done without thinking or feeling, like a machine.
Usage pattern:
[mechanical] [action/response/smile]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'mechanical' here means 'related to machines', but in this sense it describes human actions that seem like machine behavior.
Synonyms
automatic (Implies an action is carried out without conscious thought, but not necessarily emotionless.)
Antonyms
spontaneous (Implies an action done naturally and with feeling, opposite of robotic or rehearsed.)
Collocations
mechanical smile
|mechanical reply
|mechanical routine
Themes
psychology
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He gave a mechanical nod and left the room.
- Her greeting felt mechanical after years of working there.
- The applause was polite but mechanical.
- She answered the questions in a mechanical way.
Learner examples
- He gave me a mechanical smile.
- Her answers were short and mechanical.
- The workers moved in a mechanical way.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
Involving physical forces in engineering
About how things move and work in physics or engineering.
Usage pattern:
[mechanical] [property/process/test]
Synonyms
kinetic (Refers specifically to movement, but not all mechanical properties involve motion.)
Antonyms
chemical (Refers to processes involving chemical reactions rather than physical forces.)
Collocations
mechanical properties
|mechanical stress
|mechanical advantage
Themes
science
|engineering
|technology
Examples
- The material was tested for its mechanical strength.
- Understanding the mechanical properties of metals is crucial for construction.
- This design offers a greater mechanical advantage.
Learner examples
- We tested the mechanical strength of the metal.
- The bridge has good mechanical properties.
- The tool gives a big mechanical advantage.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mechanical
IPA
GB/mɪkˈænɪkəl/
US/mɪkˈænɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
mech - an - ic - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (an)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mechanical
Word family
Expressions
mechanical engineering
1/mɪkˈænɪkəl ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Engineering field about machines
The study and design of machines and how they work.
Examples
- She is studying mechanical engineering at MIT.
- Mechanical engineering covers topics from engines to robotics.
mechanical pencil
1/mɪkˈænɪkəl pˈɛnsəl/
fixed phrase
Pencil with refillable lead mechanism
A pencil that uses thin lead that can be pushed out as needed.
Examples
- I prefer writing with a mechanical pencil because it never needs sharpening.
- He clicked his mechanical pencil and began sketching.